Kroger defeats Macpherson for attorney general

In the secretary of state race, Kate Brown will face
Republican Rick Dancer in the fall

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

ASHBEL S. GREEN

The Oregonian Staff

Democrat John Kroger is likely to become Oregon's next
attorney general after defeating rival Greg Macpherson and
heading into the November election with no declared
Republican opposition.

Democrats also chose Sen. Kate Brown, D-Portland, over two
other senators in the secretary of state's race. In
November, she'll face Rick Dancer, 48, the former
Eugene anchorman who ran unopposed in the Republican
primary.

Sen. Ben Westlund, D-Bend, and Republican Allen Alley, a
former aide to Gov. Ted Kulongoski, were unopposed in their
primaries for treasurer.

Kroger, 42, a law professor and former federal prosecutor,
won 55 percent of the vote, cruising past Macpherson, 57, a
three-term Lake Oswego legislator and government benefits
lawyer, with 45 percent. Incumbent Democrat Hardy Myers
decided not to seek a fourth term.

"We believed from the very beginning in the power of
grass-roots politics and that people were hungry for real
ideas about how to tackle Oregon's biggest
challenges," Kroger said.

Macpherson emphasized his legislative accomplishments while
attacking Kroger as inexperienced and having little track
record in Oregon. Kroger touted his prosecution of Enron
executives and Mafia thugs and promised to use the office
more aggressively to fight polluters and collect delinquent
child support from deadbeat parents.

Kroger spent about $750,000 since January. Macpherson spent
close to $800,000.

Brown, 47, won more than 50 percent of the vote, more than
her opponents combined. The juvenile-law attorney, who led
the Senate Democrats for nearly a decade, was first elected
to the Oregon House in 1991 and helped pass a landmark
domestic partnership law last year.

She defeated Sen. Rick Metsger, 56, D-Welches, a former sports anchorman and news reporter, and Sen. Vicki Walker, 51, D-Eugene, chairwoman of the education and general government committee. Brown promised to expand her campaign to reach independents and Republicans but plans first to take a vacation....

Kroger defeats Macpherson for attorney general

In the secretary of state race, Kate Brown will face
Republican Rick Dancer in the fall

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

ASHBEL S. GREEN

The Oregonian Staff

Democrat John Kroger is likely to become Oregon's next
attorney general after defeating rival Greg Macpherson and
heading into the November election with no declared
Republican opposition.

Democrats also chose Sen. Kate Brown, D-Portland, over two
other senators in the secretary of state's race. In
November, she'll face Rick Dancer, 48, the former
Eugene anchorman who ran unopposed in the Republican
primary.

Sen. Ben Westlund, D-Bend, and Republican Allen Alley, a
former aide to Gov. Ted Kulongoski, were unopposed in their
primaries for treasurer.

Kroger, 42, a law professor and former federal prosecutor,
won 55 percent of the vote, cruising past Macpherson, 57, a
three-term Lake Oswego legislator and government benefits
lawyer, with 45 percent. Incumbent Democrat Hardy Myers
decided not to seek a fourth term.

"We believed from the very beginning in the power of
grass-roots politics and that people were hungry for real
ideas about how to tackle Oregon's biggest
challenges," Kroger said.

Macpherson emphasized his legislative accomplishments while
attacking Kroger as inexperienced and having little track
record in Oregon. Kroger touted his prosecution of Enron
executives and Mafia thugs and promised to use the office
more aggressively to fight polluters and collect delinquent
child support from deadbeat parents.

Kroger spent about $750,000 since January. Macpherson spent
close to $800,000.

Brown, 47, won more than 50 percent of the vote, more than
her opponents combined. The juvenile-law attorney, who led
the Senate Democrats for nearly a decade, was first elected
to the Oregon House in 1991 and helped pass a landmark
domestic partnership law last year.

She defeated Sen. Rick Metsger, 56, D-Welches, a former sports anchorman and news reporter, and Sen. Vicki Walker, 51, D-Eugene, chairwoman of the education and general government committee. Brown promised to expand her campaign to reach independents and Republicans but plans first to take a vacation....